Unspoken Bond
Lucas
Present Day….
“Take that!”
Louie’s voice, high-pitched and triumphant, cut through the room. I glanced up from my phone, watching him and his cousin Simon, engaged in their video game duel. It was reminiscent of the countless battles I had with my siblings. As one of ten kids, our house was always a battleground of playful rivalry.
Leaning back, I let the sounds of my nieces and nephews playing envelop me. I was the designated babysitter today. My mom, sisters, and brothers all had to work or were in school. So, I was stuck watching them. It wasn’t a chore, and I didn’t mind. The kids were a much-needed distraction.
I flicked my phone screen again. The absence of messages from Talon twisted a knot in my gut. The first time I saw him, his majestic lion form had both terrified and fascinated me. It scared me that he was a predator shifter. I didn’t have the best track record with them. And Talon was a huge ass lion with a full golden mane and sharp teeth. But seeing and meeting him also caused my rabbit and heart to patter happily—we met our mate.
It was the moment I realized what the bond meant - a connection that was supposed to be unbreakable. But now, that connection felt as if it was fraying, thread by thread.
Why the hell won’t he call me?I thought. I was his mate, damn it. He should want to be with me. Granted, our first meeting wouldn’t have been the best time to announce our connection.
My parents had just found out my older brother Brian had found his mate in a predator shifter, the king of the lion pride, and they, especially my mother, weren’t happy. But now, they accepted my brother’s bond. There was no reason for Talon not to even talk with me.
The game ended with triumphant music, and Louie jumped up, his face alight with the simple joy of victory. “I won! Uncle Lucas, did you see that?”
I mustered a smile, a pang of nostalgia hitting me. “You’re a champ, Louie. Reminds me of the gaming battles I had with your father and uncles.”
“Hear that, Simon. I’m a champ,” Louie said smugly. He was definitely his father’s son. My brother, Noah, used to brag like that all the time.
Simon’s nose wrinkled, his brow creased, and fire blazed in his eyes. I struggled to smother a laugh. “I let you win. Let’s play again, I’ll prove it!”
Where Louie took after my brother, Simon was a mirror image of Olivia, my sister. Olivia was the oldest and had a… strong… personality. Yeah, I guess that would be it, a strong personality.
“Uncle Lucas,” piped up a small voice, slicing through my thoughts. I looked down to see Eva, her wide eyes brimming with a mixture of hope and expectation. Beside her, Millie, clutching a tiny porcelain teacup, peered up at me with silent anticipation. Eva, the eldest of my nieces and nephews and every bit as determined as her sibling, Simon, tugged gently at the hem of my shirt.
“Yes, sweetheart?” I asked, bending down to her level.
“Will you play tea party with us?” Eva’s voice was hopeful while Millie nodded vigorously, her cherubic cheeks rounding with excitement.
Their earnest expressions tugged at my heart. Eva’s eyes, large and pleading, seemed to mirror the innocence and joy I so often missed. With a feigned sigh of defeat, I couldn’t help but smile. “How can I resist such a persuasive invitation?” I chuckled. “Alright, you little charmers, I’m all yours.”
Their reaction was immediate and jubilant. Eva’s squeal of delight mingled with Millie’s giggles as they each grabbed one of my hands, leading me with triumphant enthusiasm toward their miniature tea party setup.
“Schatje?”
The familiar, affectionate call from Nana drew my attention. Her voice, always tinged with the warm lilt of her Belgian roots, brought a smile to my face. Nana was visiting from Belgium, and in her fondness, she called all of us grandkids schatje — sweetheart.
I turned, finding her in the doorway, a picture of old-world charm. Nana, petite and sprightly despite her years, peered over her gold wire-framed glasses. Her hair, always neatly coiled into a bun, seemed to echo the wisdom and stories tucked behind her twinkling eyes. Today, she was dressed in her usual attire: a long skirt paired with a crisp white blouse. All she needed was an apron, and she’d be a carbon copy of Granny from Loony Toons.
“Yes, Nana,” I replied, the affection in my voice reflecting the warmth she always brought into a room.
Nana smiled, a gesture that seemed to crinkle her entire being into an expression of love and gentle amusement. “I see you’ve been recruited for royal tea duties,” she remarked, her gaze drifting to the excited children.
Her comment, simple yet filled with the gentle humor she was known for, reminded me of the countless afternoons spent under her nurturing watch. Nana had a way of making even the most mundane moments feel like chapters from a cherished storybook.
“Yes, I couldn’t possibly refuse an invitation to tea with their majesties,” I replied, gesturing towards Eva and Millie, who bubbled over with giggles. “I’m sure they wouldn’t mind setting another place for you.”
But Nana’s smile, usually so full of warmth, flickered with a hint of something else — concern. “Actually, dear, I was hoping you could drive me to see your brother Brian.”
At the mention of Brian, my stomach clenched. Brian, my older brother, had recently found his fated mate in Edward, the king of the lion pride, and moved to the pride house. The very place where Talon, the man haunting my thoughts, resided. The prospect of seeing him sent a flurry of butterflies through me.
The shrill cheers from the boys jolted me from my spiraling thoughts. I glanced back at Nana, trying to mask my anxiety. “I’m sorry, Nana. I can’t. I’ve got the kids to watch.”
Nana’s expression grew more earnest. “It’s important, Lucas. Brian won’t mind the children visiting.”
“Can’t it wait for Mom to get here?”
“I have something I need to tell him. It’s a matter of mates. Otherwise, I’d wait for your mom to get home.”
“What about mates?” Her cryptic tone sent my heart racing. Was this good? Bad?
She shook her head, her eyes conveying urgency. “It’s only for when you get mated. I can’t tell you now.”
“Why not?” My curiosity was piqued, but Nana remained resolute.
“It’s just how it is,” she said, her brow furrowing in thought. “Perhaps I should call a Stuber.”
A slight chuckle escaped me despite the tension. “You mean an Uber, Nana?”
“That’s it, yes. One of those,” she replied, a touch of sheepishness in her voice. “I’ll call one of those.”
It was my turn to shake my head. “No, Nana. I’ll take you.” I turned to the excited children. “Guys, change of plans. We’re visiting Uncle Brian.”
“At the lion’s den!” Simon’s eyes lit up with excitement.
I chucked. Ever since finding out that’s what they called it, the kids were infatuated with it. The place was ginormous, a palace, really. It had everything a kid could want and then some. The building itself was the size of a football field and was on acres far from prying eyes. They could shift if they wanted.
Gathering the kids for an impromptu trip to the pride house felt like herding cats, but with a flurry of activity and a few gentle prods from Nana, we got everyone ready. I watched as she deftly navigated through the chaos, her calm demeanor a steady anchor amidst the storm of excited children.
“Simon, Eva, shoes on now, please,” I called out, grabbing my keys and a bag of essentials. Millie was already tugging at my hand. Her small face was lit up with the promise of adventure.
As we filed out of the house, I glimpsed Nana, her eyes scanning the room with a mix of fondness and an unreadable emotion. She seemed lost in thought, her usual cheerfulness tempered by whatever message she held for Brian.
The children’s chatter filled the car, their voices overlapping in a symphony of excitement and curiosity. I secured Millie in her booster seat, double-checking the seatbelts before sliding into the driver’s seat. I looked at Nana in the passenger seat. She was whispering something to herself, her fingers tracing the outline of the old, worn photo of my granddad she always carried with her.
As I started the engine, the weight of the upcoming visit settled in my stomach. Thoughts of Talon swirled in my mind, a tumultuous mix of anticipation and apprehension. What would this visit bring? And what secret was Nana so eager to share with Brian about mates?
My hand clenched the steering wheel, and my knuckles turned white. What was I going to say to him? Fuck!
“Schatje, are you okay?” Nana’s concerned voice broke through my reverie.
“I’m fine, Nana,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. Discussing my unresolved feelings about Talon was not an option—not when he hadn’t even acknowledged me.
“Uncle Lucas, you don’t have to be scared of the predator shifters,” Simon piped up from the backseat. “Uncle Edward said his lions wouldn’t hurt us.”
Catching his reflection in the rearview mirror, I offered a reassuring smile. “I’m not scared, Simon.”
“But Mama said you’re scared of predators and don’t like to shift,” Simon persisted, his youthful curiosity evident.
“I shift,” I countered, a tinge of defensiveness in my voice. The memories of my experiences, ones I preferred to keep buried, nudged at the edge of my consciousness. Shaking off the thoughts, I focused on the road ahead.
“Not like the rest of us,” Simon argued. “You always seem… different about it.”
Eva chimed in, her voice a mixture of pride and challenge. “Uncle Lucas shifted in front of everyone once, even in front of Mr. Talon and Uncle Eddie. So, he’s not scared!”
“Don’t call Uncle Edward, Eddie,” Simon corrected her. “He doesn’t like it. But when did Uncle Lucas shift?”
Eva, not one to back down, crossed her arms defiantly. “You weren’t there, but he did. So, Uncle Lucas isn’t scared. And I can call Uncle Eddie, Eddie, if I want. That’s what Uncle Brian calls him.”
“Okay, enough, you two,” I interjected, keen to steer away from the topic. “I’m not scared. Not that it’s not okay to be afraid sometimes. Everyone is at one point or another. I did and do shift. That’s enough of that. We’re pulling up, so behave.”
“Your Uncle is right,” Nana agreed.
Turning, I passed the large wrought-iron gates and drove down the cobblestone drive. Louie pressed his face against the window, his eyes wide with awe. “It’s even bigger than I remember!” he exclaimed.
A smile found its way to my lips, almost unbidden, as the children’s unbridled enthusiasm washed over me. Their wonder momentarily lightened the bundle of nerves tightly coiled within me. I took a moment to drink in the sight of the pride house — the lawn was a carpet of vibrant green, meticulously cared for, leading up to a majestic fountain that danced in the sunlight. The mansion itself, a grand two-story structure boasting over twenty rooms, stood as a testament to the pride’s strength and unity. It was more than just a house; it was a sanctuary for the single lions of the pride, offering ample space and a sense of belonging.
As I pulled the car up to the front of the mansion, I glanced back at the children in the rearview mirror. “Remember, everyone needs to be on their best behavior,” I reminded them, echoing my earlier instructions.
Their response was a chorus of earnest “We will,” filled with the sincerity only children can muster. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride — despite their excitement. They understood the importance of respect and decorum in this new environment.
After shutting off the engine, I inhaled deeply, bracing myself for the upcoming encounter. Stepping out of the car, I moved to assist the kids. Nana, ever-efficient, had already helped Louie out of his seat. Together, we herded the children towards the pride house’s imposing wooden entrance.
As if on cue, the door swung open, revealing Carl, the venerable butler of the house. In his seventies, Carl’s hair was a distinguished mix of black and gray, complementing his crisp black suit and gray waistcoat. But what always struck me most about him was his ever-present cheerful demeanor and his signature bushy mustache.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Bondar,” Carl greeted me with his usual formality.
“Good afternoon, Carl. I hope Brian informed you of our visit,” I replied, adjusting Millie’s grip on my hand.
“He did, indeed,” Carl began, but his words trailed off as he straightened at the sight of Nana. “Ms. Bondar, it’s good to see you again.”
Nana’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, Carl, I’ve told you before. Call me Hilde,” she chided gently, her voice carrying a playful lilt.
I noticed a slight change in her tone, and I wasn’t the only one. Simon and Louie exchanged puzzled glances, their young minds trying to piece together this different side of Nana. It was Millie, bold and curious, who voiced the question aloud. “Why do you sound like that, Nana?”
Before Nana could reply to Millie’s question, a familiar voice filled the air, slicing through the momentary awkwardness. “You made it!” Brian’s voice resonated with warmth and relief.
I watched as Nana’s face, initially etched with a hint of embarrassment, transformed into a look of unmistakable relief. She subtly smoothed her skirt, a gesture I recognized as her way of composing herself.
Turning towards the source of the voice, I saw my brother striding toward us with open arms. Brian’s presence was always commanding, yet there was an easiness to him, a contrast that I’d always admired. His eyes, mirroring the same blue hue as mine, sparkled with genuine happiness at our arrival.
“Hey, Brian,” I greeted him, balancing a mix of affection and a subtle guard I held around the pride members. We embraced briefly, a brotherly gesture that bridged the gap between our contrasting worlds.
Brian stepped back, his gaze shifting to the children, who were now buzzing with excitement at seeing their uncle. “Looks like you brought the whole troop,” he chuckled, ruffling Simon’s hair, who beamed up at him.
Nana stepped forward; her earlier composure regained. “Brian, dear,” she said, her voice now back to its familiar, soothing timbre. “We need to talk. It’s about what’s going on with your friend Owen and… mates.” Her words were measured, hinting at the gravity of the conversation to come.
I couldn’t help but glance at Brian. My curiosity piqued. The mention of mates stirred a whirlwind of thoughts in my mind, especially regarding my own unresolved feelings about Talon.
Brian nodded, his expression turning serious. “Do you know what’s going on with Owen? Why he’s sick? Is it a mate thing?”
“Yes, I know what’s happening. We should go inside,” she replied.
“Of course. Edward called Mike and his mate—”
“Mike met his mate?” I interrupted.
Brian looked back at me. “Yes, a guy named Jake. He’s a great guy. He has a couple of little brothers. They’ll all be coming. Talon was supposed to bring them.”
“Talon? He’s coming.”
Brian nodded and opened his mouth to speak, but Nana beat him. “Good, all mated couples should be here. It’s important, as it affects you all.”
Brian turned to Carl, who had been a silent observer. “Could you help Lucas with the kids?”
Carl, ever the dutiful butler, stepped forward. “Certainly, your highness. Right this way, young ones,” he said, ushering the children into the house with a practiced ease.
As they disappeared into the grand foyer, I lingered for a moment, taking in the familiar yet imposing facade of the pride house. Today, it wasn’t just a visit to my brother’s new home; it felt like stepping into a chapter that would define my heart.
Fate, help me out with Talon. Please let him talk to me, please.